Brunei: Cyprus' Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos participated in strategic discussions regarding bilateral relations and regional developments with several Asian counterparts during the 25th ASEAN-EU Ministerial Meeting in Brunei.
According to Cyprus News Agency, Kombos held meetings with the Foreign Ministers of Singapore, Timor-Leste, the Philippines, and Brunei. In his meeting with Brunei's Minister of Foreign Affairs II, Dato Erywan Yusof, Kombos expressed gratitude for Brunei's hosting of the event and acknowledged its role in advancing ASEAN-EU cooperation. The discussions highlighted Cyprus-Brunei relations and explored avenues to enhance bilateral engagement, focusing on regional stability, connectivity, and the security of energy and trade routes.
Kombos also engaged with Singapore's Foreign Minister, Dr. Vivian Balakrishnan, to explore Cyprus-Singapore relations and potential collaborations in economic and strategic domains. The dialogue emphasized the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU and its impact on EU-Singapore relations, with a focus on maritime and energy security.
In his meeting with Timor-Leste's Foreign Minister Bendito dos Santos Freitas, Kombos congratulated the nation on joining ASEAN and reiterated commitments to international law and territorial integrity. The discussions also aimed at strengthening Cyprus-Timor-Leste relations through multilateral cooperation and initiatives in the blue economy.
Furthermore, Kombos met with the Philippines' Secretary of Foreign Affairs, Maria Theresa P. Lazaro, to discuss enhancing bilateral relations and advancing EU-ASEAN ties. The talks emphasized maritime security and the importance of freedom of navigation, building on strong people-to-people connections and a shared commitment to international law.